Positioning means for women&#39;s belts



y 1965 R. w. ANSTEY ETAL 3,184,760

POSITIONING MEANS FOR WOMEN'S BELTS Filed May 21, 1963 FIG. 6

INVENTORS RICHARD H. ANSTEY BY DORIS B. ANSTE) United States Patent This invention relates generally to Womens apparel and, more particularly, to waist belts which are worn as an -accessory with conventional skirts, slacks or dresses.

Some of the factors relative to this invention are as 'follows: Womens belts vary greatly in width or shape and, thus, render impractical the possibility of fitting standard size belt loops on the various garments to hold the belt in place. Style also is a factor, as it is not considered to be trim or neat appearing in certain attire, particularly certain tailored dresses, to have belt loops attached to such garments to hold the belt in position. Although some slacks, skirts or dresses are provided with loops and matching belts, the majority of such apparel is not so fitted. Another factor relative to this invention is the desire, in most instances, for the wearer to have several belts to choose from for wear with a single dress or the like and thereby to provide various combinations or ensembles of attire and to provide a more flexible or extensive wardrobe. With skirts, slacks or dresses not provided with belt loops, the general problem has heretofore been in keeping the belt in a proper position over the waistband of the associated garment. The shifting of the belt above or below the waistband of the garment results in an untidy appearance and is a source of much annoyance and discomfort to the wearer.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a belt positioning means for effectively securing in a proper position the belt over the waistband of the garment Worn and thus serve to promote good grooming.

A further object of the present invention is to provide 4. a ,belt positioning means requiring no belt loops in the garment to be belted, thereby encouraging or facilitating a Wider choice of. various combinations of belts and garments for various ensembles.

A further object is to provide a belt positioning means requiring no visible supporting or holding means and to i thus promote a stylish appearance.

, Afurther object is to provide such a belt positioning means that is easy and convenient to fasten and unfasten.

A further object is to provide, in a belt positioning A further object is to provide a first embodiment of the lbelt positioning means wherein a safety pin is used as the means for removably attaching the elastic member and thus the belt to the skirt, slacks or dress of the wearer. A further object is to provide a second embodiment of the belt positioning means wherein a snap fastener is used as the means for removably attaching the elastic member and thus the belt to the skirt, slacks or dress of the wearer. A further object is generally to improve the design and construction of positioning means for womens belts. The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner ofv their accomplishment will be readily understood from 'fthe following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred or first embodiment of the present invention as worn and as of the belt of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the posi- .the waistband of these garments.

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tioning means of this embodiment and the preferred disposition of the safety pin fastener.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternate or second embodiment of the present invention as worn and as viewed from the rear of the wearer.

FIG. 5 is a view somewhat similar to FIG. 4, enlarged, and illustrating the belt turned aside to show the snap fastener positioning means of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken as on the line VIVI of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the preferred or first embodiment 11 of the positioning means of the present invention, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, includes a regular belt 13having a belt body 15 and coacting securing means as belt buckle 17. Belt 13 may be of the contoured formfitting type or of uniform width, or it may be lined or unlined. For the sake of clarity, however, the ordinary plastic belt 13 is illustrated and hereinafter described in conjunction with the present invention. Thus, belt 11 is of usual construction having opposite edge portions 19 folded toward the inward side 21 of belt body 15 and stitched along the edges in oppositely disposed seams 23, as best seen in FIG. 2.

An elastic member 25 is provided and is attached to belt body 15 as the belt is constructed and scams 23 are formed. The material of elastic member 25 is of the usual kind, of rubber and fiber strand construction, which is manufactured in various widths and which has opposite edges .27 bound or finished. Elastic member 25 is attached to belt body 15 by folding the rough edges 29 inwardly upon the parent material and stitching it to belt body 15 as seams 23 are formed. The other two edges 27 are left unattached. Elastic member 25 is elastically tractable perpendicularly to the inward side 21 and is urged toward a confronting engagement with belt body 15, thus forming a resiliently closed passageway between member 25 and belt body 15 extending longitudinally of the belt body and between oppositely bound edges 27 of member 25. Although only one elastic member 25 is illustrated and is the preferred form of first embodiment 11, other such positioning means may be fitted along the belt body as desired by the wearer.

In using the belt positioning means of the above described embodiment 11, an ordinary safety pin 31 is used as the means for removably attaching the elastic member 25 to the belted garment, as garment 33. Thus, in attaching the belt to the garment, the belt is held along the waistband 35 of the garment at the small of the back with one hand, with the forefinger between elastic member 25 and belt body 15. Then, with the belt held thusly, the other hand may readily insert safety pin 31 from the inside of waistband 35. After effecting the closure of pin 31, the belt is then securely fastened about the waist in the usual manner by connecting buckle 17.

The above procedure is better suited for safety pin fastening of elastic member 25 to skirts and slacks, Wherein the wearer can fasten the safety pin from the inside of However, in fastening this first embodiment to dresses, where it is impossible to fasten the pin with the catch on the inside of the dress, then pin 31may be inserted from the elastic member side, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the catch part of pin 31 between member 25 and belt body 15. In removing the belt from the garment belted, the reverse of the above procedure is done, and after first unbuckling belt 13, the safety pin may be easily removed from the belted garment. I

From the above it is readily seen that the elastic propva short distance away from waistband 35. Thus, the elastic properties of member 25. permit the wearer to readily and manipulatively fasten and unfasten safety pin 31 to respectively attach and detach belt 13 from garment 33 or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, and 6 and to the second embodiment 37 of the present invention, belt 39 is of substantially the same construction as belt13. In this second embodiment, an elastic member 41 is attached to the inward side of belt body 43. Member 41 is of substantially the same material and is attached in substantially the same manner as is elastic member of first embodiment 11.

Snap-type catch fasteners 45 are utilized as the means for removably attaching elastic member 41 to thebelted garment, as garment 47. Snap-type fastener 45, as best seen in FIG. 6, is of the usual kind which is used in fastening fabric and, in general, comprises two co-acting parts 49, 51, of which part 49 is the male component and part 51 is the female component, and which may be readily manually pressed together or pulled apart. Two general types of these fasteners are available: A first type having small eyelets around the rim of each co-acting part of the fastener for attachment by threads looped over the eyelets and the fabric to which it is attached, and a second type having mating parts which are frictionally attached to the fabric by pressing the parts together. Al-' though either of these may be used with second embodiment 37, the latter type, which is frictionally attached, is the preferred type and is the one illustrated in the drawings.

'As is readily seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the co-acting parts 49, 51 are respectively attached to the elastic member 4-1 and to the belted garment 47. It is thus necessary for garment 47 or other like garments to be fitted with a mating fastener part which is opposite to the part secured to member 41. Thus, as illustrated, if the belt 39 is fitted With a male fastener 49, the various garments to be worn with belt .39 must be provided with female fasteners 51. Fitting the belts and various garments as above described is the preferred manner for attaching the male and female fasteners, for it is foreseen thatit may be desirable to wear garment 47 or the like without a belt, in which case the smoothly contouredsurface of V,

the female fastener part 51 would be better suited and more practical. Additionally, relative to this, should the wearer not want the fastener part 49 to be seen, it is contemplated that foldable tabs or the like may be suitably utilized to cover the fastener when not in use. 1 When several beltsand several garments are to be used in various combinations, it is readily seen that. the belts should be fitted with one part, as part 51, and the various garments should be fitted with the other and mating part'49. Thiswould assure that the various garments and the various belts of the wearer would always match and be attachable.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides a practical means for securing ina proper position a womans' belt over thewaistband of the garment belted, and thatthe use of'the present invention substantially eliminates the heretofore mentioned belt shifting problems regardless of the movements: of the wearer. Moreover, the present invention requiresno belt loops or any visible meansfor positioning the belt, thus encouraging a neat and stylish appearance and the possible use. of'many combinations of clothes. Further- 'more, it'is contemplated that the positioning means of the present invention can be incorporated in the belts during manufacture, and, as in the second embodimenL-the coit is contemplated that the several necessary components of the belt positioning means maybe marketed in kit form and may thus contain such items as-elastic and safety pins for use in the. first embodiment, and these items plus snap-fasteners for use in the second embodiment. Snap-fastener mounting pliers may also be included in the kit for the second embodiment, whereby the wearer may readily attach the various snap-fastener parts to the various and desired articles of clothing. Thus, with the purchase of a kit as above described, the wearer may readily attach the belt positioning means to the various articles of clothing already possessed.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity or understanding, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the, full intended scope of this invention as'hereinafter claimed' We claim:

1. In a belt having a belt body, positioning means comprising an attachment means for fastening to a womans skirt and the like, elastic means including a broad 1'e-,.. silient member interconnecting said attachment, means r and said belt body to which atleast a part of said attachment means is fixedly attached for permitting movement of said part of saidattachment means relative to said belt body during the fastening of said attachment'means, said broad resilient member being attached to said belt body at substantially spaced apart places to provide a passageway between said broad resilient member and said belt body and to provide access for theinsertion of the lingers in said passageway between said broad resilient member and .said belt body for effecting the fastening of said attachmentmeans.

2. In a. belt having .abelt body, positioning means comprising a broad elastic member having a first pair of oppositely disposed substantially spaced edge portions and having a second pair of oppositely disposed edge portions extending between said first pair, said first. pair of edge portions being securcdtat substantially spaced places to said belt body to hold said elastic member adjacent a said belt body, attachment means secured to said elastic member for fastening said elastic member to a womans skirt and the like, at least one of said second pair of edge portionsbeing unfastened fromsaid belt body to provide a passageway between said elastic member and said belt body and to provide access for the insertion of the fingers between said elastic memberv and said belt body for effecting the fastening of said'attachment means.

3. In womens apparel, the means for positioning a waist belt'wornas an accessorywith a conventionally styled skirt, slacks or dress garment; said positioning means comprising in combination an elongated belt body of flexible material having" an inward side and oppositely disposed edge portions and including cooperative means at the endxof said body for securing the belt about the waist of the wearer, a broad: elastic memberhaving oppositely disposed edge portions :and disposed along-said inward side of said belt body, said'oppositely disposed edge portions of said elastic member being securely: joined to said oppositelydisposed edge portionsof said belt 7 body, said elasticimember being elastically urgedtoward acting snap-fastener parts may also be mounted. on-the various garments 47 as they are made. Additionally,

a confronting engagement with *saidflinward side of said belt body thereby forming a resiliently closed passageway between said elastic memberrand said [belt body, said passagewaybeing disposed longitudinally'ofsaid belt body, attachment means for: remofvably attaching said elastic member to' they-waistband portion of the skirt,

slacks-or dress; said" resiliently closedgpassageway providing access for the insertion of the fingerstherein for mampulatingly fastening and unfastening said attachment means thereby effecting the attaching and detaching "of the belt to'the waistband of'th'e the wearer. 7

4. The belt-positioning means inaccordance with claim skirt; slacks 'or dress of 5 3 in which said attachment means comprises a safety pin for removably attaching said elastic member to the skirt, slacks or dress garment of the wearer.

5. The belt positioning means in accordance wth claim 3 in which said attachment means comprises a snap-type 5 catch fastener for removably attaching said elastic memher to the skirt, slacks or dress garment; said snapfastener having co-acting first and second parts and having said first part attached to said elastic member of said of the skirt, slacks or dress.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A BELT HAVING A BELT BODY, POSITIONING MEANS COMPRISING AN ATTACHMENT MEANS FOR FASTENING TO A WOMAN''S SKIRT AND THE LIKE, ELASTIC MEANS INCLUDING A BROAD RESILIENT MEMBER INTERCONNECTING SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS AND SAID BELT BODY TO WHICH AT LEAST A PART OF SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS IS FIXEDLY ATTACHED FOR PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF SAID PART OF SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID BELT BODY DURING THE FASTENING OF SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS, SAID BROAD RESILIENT MEMBER BEING ATTACHED TO SAID BELT BODY AT SUBSTANTIALLY SPACED APART PLACES TO PROVIDE A PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN SAID BROAD RESILIENT MEMBER AND SAID BELT BODY AND TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR THE INSERTION OF THE FINGERS IN SAID PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN SAID BROAD RESILIENT MEMBER AND SAID BELT BODY FOR EFFECTING THE FASTENING OF SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS. 